Card filing devices



June 20, 1967 A. KAR-PER 3,326,615

CARD FILING DEVICES Original Filed March 6, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.2

INVENTOR. Alberf Karper ATTORNEY June 20, 1967 v A P R 3,326,615

CARD FILING DEVICES Original Fil ed March 6-. 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I w1 1 73 134A 7,3 I I I CARD FILING DEVICES Original Filed March 6. 1963 5Sheets-Sheet 5 FIGS June 20, 1967 A. KARPER CARD FILING DEVICES OriginalFiled March 6. 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 9

June 20, 1967 A. KARPER CARD FILING DEVICES Original Filed March 6, 19635 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent Claims. (Cl. 312-252 This is adivision of my co-pending applications, Ser. No 263,222 filed Mar. 6,1963, now Patent No. 3,246,- 940 and Ser. No. 266,985, filed Mar. 21,1963, now Pat ent No. 3,253,871.

This invention relates in general to a card filing device, and morespecifically to a new and improved card filing device in which the cardholding means is tilted at an angle with respect to the horizontal andpivotable about a horizontal axis between a substantially upright stowedposition and a horizontally disposed operative position.

Heretofore, conventional card filing devices comprised either thesliding drawer type card file, or the rotary type card file. While eachof the respective type card file devices have been widely accepted andis much used today, each system is attended with specific inherentdisadvantages. For example, with the drawer type file devices, it isrequired that the housing for accommodating the file drawer has a widthor depth substantially equal to the length of the card filing drawerhoused therein. Therefore, in order to utilize sliding drawer typefiling devices, the sliding drawer When opened for filing purposesrequired additional space at least equal again to the length of thedrawer. Therefore the minimum amount of space which is required forsliding drawer type filing devices is a horizontal distance equal to atleast two times the length of the file drawer. Another disadvantage of asliding drawer type filing device is that the drawer canv beinadvertently pulled completely out of the housing when in use. Whenthis occurs, inevitably the drawer will fall to the floor thus causingthe cards filed therein. to become disarranged in the event they areloosely filed therein.

In rotary type filing devices, the arrangement is such that cards cannotbe loosely filed therein. Because of the rotating motion, means arerequired to maintain the cards secured onto the file wheel. Thusmechanical manipulation is required on the part of the operator toinsert and remove cards filed in such rotary devices. Also speciallyconstructed filing cards are required. With the rotary card files, anoperator is also not afforded the advantage of viewing all of the cardsfiled thereon at a glance.

Therefore an object of this invention is to provide a new and novel cardfiling device which will result in obtaining the combined advantages ofboth the sliding drawer and rotary type filing device without any of theinherent disadvantages thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved card filingdevice which will occupy a minimum of space in both the operative andinoperative position thereof.

Still another object is to provide a card file having a tiltable cardholding compartment which is pivotally mounted with respect to itshousing for movement between a substantially upright stowed position anda horizontally disposed operative position in which all of the cardsfiled therein are rendered visible at a glance and readily accessible.

Another object is to provide for an angularly inclined housing whichpermits for. a relatively simple pivotal suspension of a tilting cardholding compartment to be ice balanced so as to require a minimum ofeffort to open' and close the same.

Another object is to provide a card holding file in which cards can beloosely filed therein, constructed and arranged so that the card holdingcompartment can be pivoted to an upright inoperative position withouthaving the cards becoming disarranged therein.

Another object is to provide a noiseless operating card file in which acard holding compartment is pivotally connected to its housing.

Still another object is to provide a card file having a tiltable cardholding compartment constructed and arranged so as to be readilydetachably connected to its housing.

Still another object is to provide a card filing arrangement in whichthe housing can assume various forms, and a card holding compartmentbeing constructed and arranged so as to be readily interchanged for usein any of the various housing constructions.

Still another, object is to provide a card filing device in which thehousing for containing a plurality of card holding compartments isrendered rotatable about a vertical axis and the respective card holdingcompartments being readily detachable and hingedly connected to thehousing for movement about a horizontal axis.

Still another object is to provide for a novelly constructed cardholding compartment which isadapted to be pivotally mounted with respectto its housing.

It is still another object to provide for a uniform tilting compartmentwhich can be readily slipped into hinging connection in amulti-compartmented housing.

Still another object is to provide for a novel card holding compartmentthat can be up-ended so as to set in a shelf-like housing.

Still another object is to provide for'a tilting card filing compartmentwhich is readily adapted for use in a multiple housing rotating about avertical axis.

Still another object is to provide a novel, tiltable card filing devicewhich will occupy a minimum of space in either the operative orinoperative position thereof, and one which is relatively simple inconstruction, economical to manufacture, and positive in operation.

In accordance with this invention, the foregoing objects, and otherfeatures and advantages .are attained by a card filing device comprisingessentially a means defining an opened front housing which has pivotallyconnected thereto a card holding compartment arranged to pivot betweenan up-ended stowed position so that the open end of compartment isdisposed within the housing and in horizontal operative position wherebyaccess is readily afforded to all of the cards disposed in-saidcompartment. In accordance with this invention the cards may be looselyfiled within the compartment and the compartment balanced when stowed soas to prohibit the card from becoming loose therefrom. Cooperating meansare provided on the housing and the compartment so as to effect abalanced, efiortless and noiseless operation. The portion of thecooperating meanslocated on the housing further functions to prevent thecards from falling out of the compartment when the same is up-ended inits stowed position. Means can-also be provided for rendering the cardholding compartment readily detachable from its respective housing, saidmeans being constructed and arranged so as toprohibit detachment whenthe card holding compartment is tilted into open operative position.This invention further contemplates a card holding compartmentconstructed and arranged so as to have in one form a hinged front walland a cooperating hinged flap which are adapted to compress the columnof cards ment is pivoted to its operative position the front wall ispivoted outwardly about its axis so as to spread the cards in the columnwithin the compartment to facilitate reading of the same. A combined tabholder and stop means is connected to the front wall of the compartmentto limit the outward movement thereof, and means are operative'lyassociated with the front wall of the compartment for containing theside walls when the compartment is rendered operative.

The invention further contemplates several distinct housing embodimentsto provide for multiple compartment housing rotatable about a verticalaxis.

One of the features of this invention resides in the provision whereinthe card holding compartment can be readily interchanged or used in anyof the housnig constructions disclosed herein.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision wherein therespective card holding compartment utilizes a vertical space whenstowed in its inoperative position, and therefore requires very littledesk space when used as a desk file.

Another feature resides in the provision that all of the cards in thecard holding compartment are completely visible when rotated tooperative position.

Still another feature resides in the provision wherein the card holdingcompartment is balanced soas to be opened with a minimum of effort orforce.

Another feature resides in the provision that standard type cards can beloosely filed in the card holding compartment.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings and description thereon in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a card file housing constructionrotatably mounted about a vertical axis for cards filing compartmentrotatable between an up-ended stowed inoperative position and ahorizontal operative position.

FIGURE 2 is a partial plan sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG.1.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view of a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE .4 is a plan sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the invention wherein the dotted lineshowing illustrates the card file compartment in operative andinoperative position.

FIGURE 6 is a detached side view shown in section of the card holdingcompartment adapted for use in the card file of FIGS. 1, 3 and 5.

FIGURE 6A is a sectional view taken along line 6A6A on FIG. 6.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional side view of the compartment of FIG.6 showing the front wall pivoted outwardly in the operative positionthereof.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a modified drawer construction.

FIGURE 9 is a detail front view of an index card for use in thecompartments disclosed in FIGS. 6 and 8.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 on FIG. 9.

FIGURE 11 is an expanded plan view of a fold card for use with the cardcompartments of this invention.

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of the fold card of FIG. 11 with aclip-on means for use therewith.

FIGURE 13 is a fold card with a modified clip-on means.

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of still another modified form of theinvention.

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 14, butillustrated with each of the card compartments rotated toward open oroperative position.

FIGURE 16 is a perspective detail of the card file compartment adaptedfor use in the form of the invention of FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIGURE 17 is a construction detail of the embodiment of FIG. 14 toillustrate the support means for the top thereof.

FIGURE 18 is a side elevation view of the invention of FIG. 14.

FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate a housing construction together with itsdrawer or card holding compartments 121 to be hereinafter described. Thehousing 120 is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis 124. As shown inFIG. 1, the housing 120 is supported on a pair of similarly constructedpedestal members 122 and 123 which are connected in end to endrelationship, as shown. A spindle 124 is utilized to rotatably journalthe upper pedestal member 123 to the lower pedestal member 122. The top123A of the upper pedestal member 123 defines the base for the housing120 in which the respective card holding compartments 121 are received.As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spindle 124 extends upwardly throughthe center of the housing 120.

The housing proper in this form of the invention is defined by fivesimilarly constructed panel section 125, of which only two completepanels 125 are seen in FIG. 2. Each of the respective panels 125 is bentso that when assembled a five compartmental housing 120 is formedthereby.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, each panel 125 is bent to define a centralpanel portion 125A and a pair of angularly disposed side panel portions125B. Each of the side panel portions 125B is provided with an inturnedflange 125C which in the assembled form define the front or outside wallportion of the housing. Each flange 125C has its outer edge 125D bentinwardly at an angle to define a front opening 126 for receiving thecard holding compartment 121 as will be hereinafter described withrespect to FIGS. 6 and 8. In the assembly of the five panels 125 asherein described, the side panel portions 125B of adjacent panels 125are secured in back to back relationship as shown in FIG. 2.

A top plate 127 forms the cover for the housing 120 thus defined. A nu-tor other suitable fastener 128 secures the cover plate 127 in place onthe end of spindle 124. Thus, it will be noted that a multiple recessedhousing construction is afforded which is rendered readily rotatableabout the vertical axis 124.

As described in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 263,222, filed Mar.6, 1963, now Patent No. 3,246,940, the card holding compartment 121 isconstructed and arranged so as to be detachably and pivotally connectedto the housing 120 defined for move-ment between an upended stowedposition as shown in FIG. 1 by the solid line rendition thereof, and toan open operative position as mdlcated in the dot-dash line renditionthereof.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 6, 6A and 7, the card holdingcompartment or drawer 121 comprises a bottom wall 53 having a connectedrear wall 54 and a pan of opposed upright side walls 55 connected alongthe longitudinal edges of the bottom wall 53. The bottom wall 1s definedwith a recess or longitudinally extending channel way 56. Extendingalong the channel way 56 are a pan of elongated plate members 57 whichare connected to the elevated portion of the bottom wall 53 adjacent thechannel way 56. Referring to FIG. 6A, it will be noted that the inneredges 57A of the elongated member 57 overhangs the channel way 56 anddefines with the bottom thereof a guide way for receiving an index cardor folder of the type shown in FIGS. 9 or 12 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 9, the index card constitutes a substantiallyrectangular card having a notched portion 58A adjacent the bottomthereof to define opposed tongue portions 59. The index card, whenfitted into the drawer 121, 1s arranged so that the overhang portion 57Aof the elongated member 57 is received in the notches 58A with thetongue portion 59 thereof being disposed below the overhang of members57. Thus, the index card 58 is secured within the drawer, yet is free tobe shifted longitudinally of the drawer.

The index card is also provided with an ear 60 formed along the upperedge thereof for identification purposes. As shown, the card 58 isprovided with a slot 60A for receiving the lower edge portion of a Cshaped translucent clip 61. The upper end of clip 61 is curled over thetop of the card ear 60 and the lower end curled through slot 60A. Thus,the clip 61 is securely fastened to the card 58. An index number or tabcan thus be placed between the ear 60 and the face portion of clip 61 toidentify the index card.

If desired, a fold over card 100 of the type illustrated in FIGS. 11 and12 may be utilized in the drawer construction described. As shown, thefold card 100 is formed of a blank which is folded along a medialfoldline F1 to define a folded card 100. As shown, a pair of slottedopenings SL are formed along the foldline F1 and a flexible clip-ondevice 110 is adapted to be utilized in conjunction with the folded card100.

The clip-on device 110 comprises a portion 111 which is adapted to bereceived in the fold of the card 100 adjacent the foldline. As shown,portion 111 of clip-n 110 has a length substantially coextensive to thewidth of the card. Integrally formed with the portion 111 of the clipondevice 100 are a pair of depending L shaped leg members 112. Therespective leg members 112 are adapted to extend through the slots SLwith the free ends 112A of the leg 112 outwardly turned. Accordingly, inoperation, the fold card 100 with clip-on device 110 may be dis posed inthe card compartment 121 so that the outwardly turned ends 112A of theclip-on member is disposed below the overhang of member 57 ofcompartment 121 whereas the base or bottom 113 of the fold card isadapted to ride above the overhang 57. Accordingly, the folded cards 100of FIGS. 11 and 12 may be employed in the compartment in the same manneras the index card of FIG. 9.

FIGURE 13 illustrates a modified form of folded card construction 115.In this form of the invention, the card 115 is similiar to the foldedcard of FIG. 11 with the exception that the clip-0n device 116 ismodified to adapt it for a card compartment having a track or guide ofthe type disclosed in FIG. 14, which will be hereinafter described.

The clip-on member 116 of FIG. 13 is defined by a portion 117 having apair of depending L shaped leg portions 118 connected thereto which areadapted to be inserted through the slotted holes formed on the foldlineof the card 118. The end portions of the respective leg members areinwardly turned to engage a track connected on the bottom of a cardholding means of the type illustrated in FIG. 16, and which will behereinafter described in detail.

Referring again to the drawer or compartment construction 121, it willbe noted that the respective side walls 55 at its upper end is providedwith an inturned flange 62 which terminates in a depending flangeportion 63 spaced from its respective side wall 55. Also, the rear wall54 extends upwardly and outwardly at an angle with respect to the bottomwall 53, and it is made higher than the side walls 55.

The front wall 64 ofthe compartment is pivotally connected to the bottomwall 53 by a piano type hinge 65. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the frontwall 64 is provided with side and top peripheral inturned flangeportions 64A, 64B. In the stowed position, the side flange portion 64Ais arranged to embrace the inturned portions 125B of the housingconstruction, and the top flange portion 643 is arranged to be disposedcontiguous to the leading edge of the top cover 127 in the stowedpostion of the drawer.

Connected to the front wall 64 are a pair of spaced arcuate shapedplates or gussets 66 for bridging the space between the front wall 64and the side walls 55 when the front wall 64 is pivoted outwardly asshown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 7, the respective gussets 66 are provided withoutwardly turned flanges 66A. Adjacent the upper end of the gussetflange 66 at the bend thereof, there is provided a slot 66B which isadapted to receive the depending edge 63 of the side wall flange 62.Thus, it will be noted in FIGS. 6 a'nd 6A that the gussets 66 serve toprohibit lateral or outward displacement of the side walls 55 when thefront wall 64 of compartment 121 is tilted forward. Gussets 66 thusfunction to contain the side walls 55 of the compartment 121.

In the closed position of the front wall 64, the side flanges 64A are inoverlapping relationship to the side Walls 55 and thus function tocontain the side walls 55.

Operatively associated with the front wall 64 is a flap 67 which ishingedly connected to the hinge pin 65. The function of the flap 67 isto encompass the column of cards filed in the card compartment in thestowed position thereof and to extend the column of cards when thedrawer is in the operative position with the front wall 64 pivotedoutwardly.

To limit the forward tilting movement of the front wall 64 of the cardholding compartment 121, a combined tab holder handle and stop means 70is provided. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the stop means 70 includes adepending tab 70A connected to the front wall 64, and it extends belowthe bottom wall 53 of the compartment. A finger grip portion 70B is bentforwardly of the depending tab portion 70A. A clip 71 having a window orcut out portion is clamped onto the surface of the tab portion 70A andforms the frame for the index or name plate for identifying the subjectmatter to be filed within the compartment 121.

The arrangement of the stop tab means 70 is such that the curve of thefinger portion 70B abuts the leading wall portion 56A of the channel way56 formed in the bottom wall of the compartment and thus defines thestop for the front wall 64.

In order that the card holding compartment 121 may be detachably andhingedly connected to the housing, a detachable hinge means is provided.As best seen in FIG. 6, the detachable hinge means comprises simply ahook shaped plate 72 connected to the bottom wall 53 adjacent the rearwall. To attach the compartment 121 to the housing, the card holdingcompartment 121 is simply set on end and the hook portion 72 is slippedover the hinge pin or slot 123B on the housing as described in myco-pending application, Ser. No. 263,222, filed Mar. 6, 1963, now PatentNo. 3,246,940. With the construction described, the card filecompartment 120 can be readily pivoted about pivot pin of the housing120 from a stowed position shown by the solid line showing in FIG. 1 toan operative open position shown in the dotted line illustrationthereof. It is to be noted that with the drawer 121 in the operativeposition as shown in FIG. 1, it is rendered impossible to unhook thedrawer 121 by any force applied thereto. Before the compartment can beremoved, it must be upended so that the hook end 72 can he slipped outof its retaining slot 123B.

To provide for effortless and noiseless operation, cooperating means areprovided on the housing and the compartment as disclosed in myco-pending application, Ser. No. 263,222, filed Mar. 6, 1963, now PatentNo. 3,246,940. Such means may comprise a flat spring 73 fixed to therear or back wall 125A of the housing. As described in said co-pendingapplication, spring 73 is fixed at. its upper end and is free at itslower end, the lower end being provided with a forwardly extending piecedisposed adjacent the bottom wall of the housing. Cooperating therewithis a roller 74 which is rotatably journalled to the rear wall of thecompartment. Thus, in operation, the roller 74 on the drawer is disposedin rolling engagement with the flat spring 23.

From the foregoing description, it is to be noted that the card holdingcompartment 121, when stowed in the up-ended position, as shown in thesolid line illustration of FIG. 1, is disposed at an angle such thatloosely mounted cards can be filed in the compartment without the samebecoming disarranged. Also, it is to be realized that the flat spring 73of FIG. 2 will function to hold the cards in place in the up-endedposition of the compartment in the event any loose cards tend to becomedisarranged.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a modified card holding compartment. As showntherein, the card holding compartment of FIG. 8 is modified to theextent that the front wall 97 is fixedly or integrally connected to thebottom wall 98 and to the side wall 99. Thus, the front wall 97 isfixedly secured. In all other respects, the construction of thecompartment of FIG. 8 is substantially similar to the compartment 120 ofFIGS. 6 and 7.

FIGURES 3, 4 and illustrate a further modification of a filing system130. This embodiment of the invention is readily adapted for use on adesk top. It comprises a fixed base 131 to 'which there is rotatablyjournalled a spindle 132. The spindle 132 has fixed thereto a bottomwall 133 of the housing. Connected to the bottom wall 133 are a seriesof three upright panels 134 which are specifically bent to define atriangular shaped housing, i.c. a housing in which three card holdingcompartments 135, similar to that hereinbefore described, may be housed.Each of the panels 134 is formed in a manner similar to that describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the angle defined by thecentral portion 134A and each of the side portions 134B is greater.Thus, it will be apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4, that any reasonable numberof compartments can be housed in a rotatable housing, journalled about avertical axis, merely by varying the number of panels and angles definedby the bent portions thereof. To complete the housing of FIGS. 3 and 4,a top panel 136 is connected to the spindle 132, and a suitable cappingnut 137 or the like secures the respective portions of the housing aboutthe spindle.

It will be apparent that the card holding compartment 121 and 135 ofFIGS. 1 and 3 respectively are similar in every respect to thathereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Thus, thestructure and operation of the card holding compartment 135 of FIGS. 3and 4 is the same as previously described. The housing construction 130defined also includes cooperating means in the form of a flat spring 73and roller 74 as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2; or a beltmeans as described in my co-pending patent application, Ser. No.263,222, filed Mar. 6, 1963, now Patent No. 3,246,940.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a form of the invention substantially similar tothat described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4 with the exception thatthis embodiment may rest either on a floor or desk. Accordingly, asshown in FIG. 5, the filing system 130A comprises of a circular basemember 131A which may rest on a floor in the larger size models.Connected to the base is a vertical spindle 132A which forms the axis ofrotation for the housing of the card filing system. The top plate 136ais suitably secured to the spindle 132A by a suitable fastener 137A asfor example a nut cap or the like, and the card holding compartments135A are similar to that hereinbefore described as each is hingedlyconnected for movement between an upright stowed position and an openoperative horizontal position.

FIGURES 14 to 18 illustrate another modified form of the invention. Inthis form of the invention, the card filing system 150 comprises a fixedbase member 151 and a rotating base 152, the latter having a pluralityof side forming wall portions 153 hingedly connected to the rotary basefor movement between an upright stowed position and a horizontallydisposed operative position, as noted in FIGS. 14 and 15. In theillustrated form of the invention, the respective side wall portions 153are rectangularly disposed on the rotary base 152 to define a closedrectangular housing. However, it will be understood that the number ofside forming wall portions 8 hingedly secured to the base 152 may varyto define other poly onic shaped housing, as for example, a triangularhousing, a pentagonal housing, a hexagonal housing and the like.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the four side walls formingportions 153 are hingedly connected to the rotary base 152 in contiguousrectangularly disposed relationship.

Each side wall portion 153 of the housing is constructed and arranged todefine a tray for receiving a card holder 154 of a type as described inmy co-pending application, Ser. No. 266,985, now Patent No. 3,253,871,filed Mar 21, 1963. As shown, each of the respective side wall portions153 is provided with a pair of opposed rail or guide members 155, 156wherein one of the rail members 155 is disposed contiguous to one edgeportion of its corresponding side wall portion, with the other railmember 156 spaced inwardly from the other opposed edge of the side wallportion. Thus, each side forming wall 153 is formed with a lateralextending marginal portion 153A, which is adapted to define that portionof the side wall 153 which shields the exposed edge portion of the cardsC filed in a holder 154 located on the adjacent side wall portion of thehousing, as will be hereinafter defined.

In this form of the invention, the card holder 154 is constructed andarranged so as to slidably receive within the rails or guides 155, 156to the respective side wall portions 153 of the housing.

As best seen in FIG. 16 and as described in my copending application,Ser. No. 266,985, now Patent No. 3,253,871, filed Mar. 21, 1963, thecard holder 154 comprises a base 154A having longitudinal marginalflange portions 157 adapted to be received between the rails 155, 156connected to a side wall portion 153 of the housing. Connected to thefront and rear edges of the base plate 154A are hingedly connected endmembers 158, 159. Accordingly, as noted in FIGS. 14 and 15, the frontend member 159 of the card holder 154- in the stowed position of itscomplemental side wall portion 153 functions to define a portion of thetop wall of the housing in the closed position thereof.

Hingedly connected to the rear end wall 158 and extending the length ofthe base member 154A are card guides which are adapted for receiving andholding therein the card or folder to be filed and stored thereon. Forexample, the card or folder 115 of FIG. 13 may be utilized. Also, asshown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a slotted card 161 may be used.

Accordingly, the card holding tray or means 154 may be constructed andarranged to have any number of card guides 160 extending longitudinallybetween the end walls 158 and 159 thereof. For example, two or threeguides 160 may be used as shown in the drawings.

As best seen in FIGS. 14 through 16, the side wall portions 153 of thehousing defined thereby from a tray for slidably receiving the cardholder 154. Cards 161 adapted for use with the card holder may beprovided with slotted openings 162 which are threaded onto the cardguides 160 in a manner described above and in my co-pending application,Ser. No. 266,985, filed Mar. 21, 1963, now Patent No. 3,253,871.

Referring to FIG. 14, it will be noted that when each of the side walls153 are disposed in their vertically stowed position, the respectivefront end wall 159 of each card holders 154 is horizontally disposed todefine a portion of the top of the housing. To complete the top closureor top for the housing, a top plate 163 is fixedly secured to an uprightspindle or post 164 connected to and extending upwardly of the rotarybase member 152. Accordingly, the top plate 163 is constructed andshaped to occupy the central void defined by the respective front endwalls 159 of the respective card holding means 154 when the same are inthe stowed position of the housing.

It is to be noted that in the stowed position, the respective cardholders 154 are positioned so that the cards 9 contained thereon aredisposed in stacked columns interfitted as shown in FIG. 14.Accordingly, the overhanging or marginal extension 153A of therespective side wall portion 153 functions to define the closure end forexposed end of the next adjacent card stack.

Referring to FIG. 18, it will be noted that the spindle or post 164 hasa socket 165 formed in the bottom thereon which is adapted to receive apivot or boss 166 which is connected to the fixed base 151 and aboutwhich the base 152 of the housing is rotatably journalled. Accordingly,the side wall portion 153 of the housing hingedly connected to thebase-152 are free to rotate about the vertical axis of the spindle 164and associated boss 166 while at the same time free to pivot between avertical stowed position and a horizontal operative position as seen inFIGS. 14 and 15.

Of course, it will be understood that if desired, the pivoting side wallportions 153 may be hingedly connected to a fixed base, in the event arotatable housing was not required or desirable.

While the instant invention has been described with respect to severalembodiments thereof, it will be readily understood that variations andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention.

I claim:

1. A filing device comprising,

(a) a housing having a base member,

(b) an upright spindle associated with said base member at theapproximate center thereof,

() a cover connected to the upper end of said spindle,

(d) a plurality of upright panels connected to said base member fordefining with said cover a plurality of chambers open at the front only,

(e) a card holding means adapted to be received in each of said openfront chambers, said card-holding means including a drawer,

(f) detachable hinge means for pivotally mounting the bottom end each ofsaid drawers to said base for movement between an upright stowedposition withing said chamber and a horizontal operative position.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said drawerscomprises,

(a) a bottom wall,

(b) a pair of connected side walls,

(c) a rear wall connected to said side walls,

(d) a front wall, and

(e) means for pivotally connecting said front walls to said bottom wall.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 and including,

(a) a fixed support,

(b) and means for rotatably supporting said base member of said housingon said fixed support for relative rotation of said housing about avertical axis.

4. A filing device comprising a housing having a base member, an uprightspindle associated with said base member at the approximate centerthereof, a cover connected to the upper end of said spindle, a pluralityof upright panels connected to said base member for defining with saidcover a plurality of open front recesses, a cardholding means adapted tobe received in each of said front open recesses, means for pivotlymounting each of said card-holding means to said base for movementbetween an upright stowed position within said recess and a horizontaloperative position wherein each of said panels includes a centralportion, a pair of side portions, and an inturned flange connected toeach of said side portions whereby the side portions of adjacent panelsare disposed in back to back relationship, and means for securing saidadjacent panels in said back to back relationship.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said housing is rotatalbyjournalled to a fixed base.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said base comprises apair of similarly constructed pedestal members connected so that onerotates relative to the other.

7. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein three card panels areconnected to define said housing.

8. A filing device comprising,

a base member,

a plurality of end walls hingedly connected to said base member forpivoting between a vertically stowed position and a horizontallydisposed operative position whereby in the stowed position, said endwalls define a closed polygonic figure,

and means carried on said end walls adapted for holding a plurality offiling cards for movement therewith whereby in the stowed position saidcards are stacked in a column one on the other and in the horizontaloperative position said cards are arranged in a row, and said cardholding means comprising,

a plate member,

a front and end wall pivotally connected to said plate member, wherebysaid front end wall defines a portion of the top wall of said housing inthe stowed position of said end wall portion thereof,

and guide means extending between the front and end wall of said cardholding means for receiving the cards adapted to be contained thereon.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 and including means for slidablyconnecting said card holding means to said end wall.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said slidably connectingmeans includes rail forming means connected to said end wall, andcomplementary means formed on said card holding means for slidablyreceiving the same in said rail means.

11. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said guide means arehingedly secured to said rear end wall of said card holder.

12. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said card holding meansis laterally disposed to one side of its respective end wall.

13. The invention as defined in claim 8 and including a fixed support,and means for rotatably supporting said base member of said housing onsaid fixed support for relative rotation of said housing about avertical axis, wherein said latter means includes,

a fixed boss extending upwardly from said fixed support,

and means defining a socket on said base member for receiving said bosswhereby said base member and end walls connected thereto are rotatablerelative to said fixed support about said boss.

14. The invention as defined in claim 13 and including a spindleconnected to said'base in axial alignment with said boss, and a topplate connected to the upper end of said spindle to define a top forsaid housing.

15. A filing device comprising,

(a) a fixed support,

(b) a housing rotatably supported on said fixed support for rotationabout a vertical axis,

(0) said housing including a bottom wall and a plurality of end formingwalls hingedly connected to said bottom wall for movement between avertically stowed position and a horizontally disposed operativeposition,

(d) said end walls being hingedly connected to said bottom wall todefine a closed polygonic figure in the stowed position thereof,

(e) means for rotatably supporting said bottom wall of said housing onsaid fixed support for relative rotation thereto,

(f) a spindle connected to said bottom wall centrally thereof andextending upwardly therefrom and defining the axis of rotation of saidhousing,

(g) a top member connected to the upper end of said spindle,

(h) card holding means carried on each of said end walls whereby saidcard holding means is pivoted with said end Wall,

(i) means for slidably connecting said card holding means relative toits respective end wall,

(j) said card holding means including a plate member having front andend Walls connected thereto, (k) said end wall being pivotally connectedto said plate members whereby said front end Wall of said card holderdefines with said top plate a top for said housing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Perkins 3l2252 X Huening 312303MacLachlan 312-483 MacLachlan 312-483 Watson 312-293 Rogers 312-120Payeur 108139 JOHN PETO, Primary Examiner.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Examiner.

F. DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner.

1. A FILING DEVICE COMPRISING, (A) A HOUSING HAVING A BASE MEMBER, (B)AN UPRIGHT SPINDLE ASSOCIATED WITH SAID BASE MEMBER AT THE APPROXIMATECENTER THEREOF, (C) A COVER CONNECTED TO THE UPPER END OF SAID SPINDLE,(D) A PLURALITY OF UPRIGHT PANELS CONNECTED TO SAID BASE MEMBER FORDEFINING WITH SAID COVER A PLURALITY OF CHAMBERS OPEN AT THE FRONT ONLY,(E) A CARD HOLDING MEANS ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED IN EACH OF SAID OPENFRONT CHAMBERS, SAID CARD-HOLDING MEANS INCLUDING A DRAWER, (F)DETACHABLE HINGE MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING THE BOTTOM END EACH OFSAID DRAWERS TO SAID BASE FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN AN UPRIGHT STOWEDPOSITION WITHING SAID CHAMBER AND A HORIZONTAL OPERATIVE POSITION.